Page 36 of Her Baby His Gift

She pulled her car into the driveway of her parent’s home. Her car stood out like a sore thumb next to her dad’s 1992 black Ford pick-up truck. The thing was old as dirt, but Elijah Thomas was a proud man. No way would he allow his daughter to buy him a new one.

“Elijah! She’s here.” Her mom squealed as she opened the screened door and came running outside to greet her only child.

Quickly, Harlem got out of the car and ran into her mother’s arms. She hugged her tight, and they did that thing where they rocked from side to side. Harlem buried her face inside the soft curve of her mom’s neck. “Hi.”

“Stop smothering the girl, Elaine!” Her dad said as he laughed that hearty laugh that was so distinctly him.

Her mom pulled away, but something in her keen gaze instinctively knew there was a problem. Her eyes softened as if to say,whatever it is will be okay.

“There’s my baby, girl!” Elijah lifted Harlem off her feet and wrapped her up into a bear hug.

“Hey, daddy.” Harlem held on tight. There was a time his hugs could fix anything. She wished this was one of those times.

“The second you called to say you were on your way, I started cooking.” Her mom said as they began to make their way towards the house. “I made your favorites. I fried some fish, made some spaghetti, coleslaw, and hot water cornbread. For dessert, the banana pudding is chilling, and I just need to frost the German chocolate cake.”

“That sounds so good. I’m only here for a couple of days, and you’re going to have me put on at least ten pounds.”

Her mom wrapped her arm around Harlem’s waist as they walked back to the house arm-in-arm. “You can stand to put on a few pounds. You’re too skinny.”

“Leave the girl alone, Elaine. She looks just like you at that age, and you weren’t too skinny to me. You had curves in all the places that I liked.” Elijah swatted his wife on the bottom as she walked up the stairs.

Elaine giggled like a schoolgirl.

Harlem watched in awe at her parents, who had been married for almost fifty years still being flirty with each other. She wanted the same with Damian and wondered if she would ever have it.

*****

Harlem changed out of her black slacks, jacket, and heels into a pair of sweat pants and her University of Illinois-Champaign t-shirt.

She sat on the edge of her bed and took a moment to look around her childhood bedroom. It still looked the same as it did when she left for college. The walls were full of her hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Harlem smiled as she studied her high school graduation photo with her friends and the Bruno Mars and Kanye West posters.Ugh. What was I thinking?Harlem got up, walked over to the wall, and took Kanye down.

She caressed all of her award-winning drawings. She’d always had a love of architecture and had worked hard to make that dream a reality. Slowly, she moved over toward her other vision boards. She stopped in front of the one markeddream wedding.

Her mother quietly entered the room, carrying a cup of tea. “I always liked that dress.”

Harlem quickly averted her eyes and pretended as if she were looking at something else. “Oh, mom. It’s just a dress.”

“Really? So, why is it still there after all of these years?” Elaine said as she handed Harlem one of the cups.

“It’s like a private diary of memories.”

“Mmhmm . . . so why is Kanye West on your bed? You managed to take him down. You just knew you were going to marry that man.” Her mom laughed. “I’m so glad Kim got him and not you.”

Harlem laughed. “Me too. I can’t imagine.”

“In all seriousness, you shouldn’t have to give up your dreams for a man, Harlem.”

“Mom. I haven’t given up my dreams.”

“You haven’t? It took you years to put that board together. You were so meticulous.”

“Mom, I don’t want to have this argument again. Please.” Harlem pleaded as she pressed her fingers to her forehead and sat back down on the bed.

“Okay.” Elaine sat down next to her. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

Harlem shrugged. “Why does something have to be wrong?”

“Because you and Damian are tied at the hip. You’re here, and he’s not. Plus, I’m your mama. I can sense it.”

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